Vietnam, Germany seek to boost trade

Measures to boost trade between Vietnam and Germany were discussed during a Vietnam Fatherland Front delegation’s working visit to Germany by that ended on June 30.

Scene at the meeting. Photo: VNA

The delegation, headed by President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan, met with German parliamentarians with a view of deepening the two countries’ strategic partnership.

At meetings with Vice President of the Bundestag Edelgard Bulmahn and Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Budestag Volker Kauder, the two sides affirmed the relationship between Vietnam and Germany has progressed over the past four decades, especially after the formation of the strategic partnership in 2011.

The Germans appreciated Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements in the past 40 years as presented by the Vietnamese delegation, including progress in economic development, education and health as well as improvements to the political system with the VFF gaining increased supervision and social criticism.

The two sides also discussed measures to boost bilateral trade, including how to increase Germany’s investment into Vietnam.

They said they believed that the total trade volume, currently reaching nearly 8 billion USD and accounting for three percent of Vietnam’s total trade, will continue rising in the future.

They admitted that Germany’s investment into Vietnam is still modest and falls short of its potential as does the bilateral political relationship.

Vice President Bulmahn raised concerns of German enterprises causing them to hesitate to invest in Vietnam, which Nhan pledged to report to the Vietnamese Government in order to seek suitable solutions to increasing confidence in pouring capital into Vietnam.

Another aspect discussed during the meetings was cooperation in culture and mutual understanding between the two countries.

They also touched on human rights, freedom of religion and the East Sea issue.

Vietnam and Germany agreed to coordinate to promote each country’s role and increase German participation in the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in particular and Asia in general.

The German side expressed their hope that the Vietnam-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) would be signed this year, facilitating Vietnam’s participation in the EU market.

During the meeting with Rolf Rosenbrock, Chairman of the German Federation of Social Equality, the same day, the two sides talked about welfare services, especially for vulnerable groups.

Germany currently has a high demand for a workforce to care for the elderly.

Vietnam and Germany had initially strong cooperation on the field with Vietnam sending 100 orderlies to Germany; the two sides agreed to ensure the workers are well-trained to expand the cooperation./.